LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- Jet Propulsion Laboratory will not hold its annual open house in June, suspending the event because of the federal budget sequester that has reduced NASA's budget by about $900 million.

The open house had been scheduled for June 8 and 9, but JPL officials decided Tuesday to suspend it. NASA issued a memo in late March that education and public outreach activities should be suspended, pending review.

Quite a shame. Last year 40,000 people attended, so this isn't a small event. A couple years ago I was about 8 feet from Curiosity. Yes the one now on Mars. It was in the vehicle assembly building being built. The test units were close enough to touch. Then there is Mission Control itself. An event not to be missed if they ever are able to do it again.